Friday, September 26, 2014

WWW, September 2014 - Digital download, vinyl,
CD, or a combination: the formats vary, the source does not. That source being
the UK DUB Twins Alpha and Omega with a brand new release on their Steppas
Records label. Nine vocal tracks featuring a world wide group of singers
alongside their DUB counterpart carrying the unmistakable Alpha and Omega sound.

Dub Dynasty is Alpha and Omega and Alpha
Steppa: yes, the next generation. Son and nephew, to be exact.

With that out of the way, let's talk about the
music. Thundering is the right word for the floor-shaking bass sound that we're
used to when it comes to AO productions. This double vinyl release doesn't lack
any of it. The real interesting part of Thundering Mantis is the fact that not
just do we have a whole range of vocalists ranging from a more meditative
eastern style talk to heartical singing (Prince David), there is an equal amount
of producers who lent some of their material to Alpha and Omega.

This is a musical release that's, well, kind of
obligatory when you are into the more heavy side of Sound System DUB. Whether
you're into digital download, CD or just plain vinyl for that bass sound the
choice is yours.

Whatever you do: support the independent DUB
movement with your purchase, it's so much needed.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

WWW, September 20 2014 - Something brewing in
the Mediterranean: The Maltese Net Label Dub Key and it's Cyprus based
Dubophonic counterpart joined strength with a solid and varied (DUB) Roots
Reggae release as a result. Music with a message, music with a soul and general
conscious vibes. Can't refuse this one.

They've been anticipating this release with an
excellent promo mix that could be download only a hundred times. That is, until
the day of the actual album release and -not completely coincidental- the day of
this review as well. Over here at the Dubroom we've anticipated with the
inclusion of the very same promo mix in a podcast
released yesterday and a determination to publish the first review of this more
than excellent album for the online massive.

Why?

You've guessed it: this is not just another
musical release. In fact, where the two Mediterranean Net Labels continually
work on increasing their quantity and quality, this release drops the two
heavyweights together with a musical explosion as result. Remember: when the
music hits, you feel no pain but you do feel the positive vibes of this
collaboration. "United As One" sets an example for this time, wherein
we do no longer need to "kill soundboys" but rather say "One
Love", especially in the Sound System culture with which both Dub Key and
Dubophonic have their connections.

Both labels have singers and players of
instruments, engineers and producers and they've been voicing, playing and
mixing each other's work. The album that came out on this September 20 2014
carries 16 mixes of four riddims. Vocals and Dubs follow each other as each
riddim is presented in a truly different form. Truly sixteen different tracks,
that you really want to play from the top to the very last drop. Unless you're a
(online) selector in which case you will find that the track will be very fit
for a different sequence in your own DJ set.

This is niceness, this is a must download. The
only problem you face is this: from which website are you going to download it?
From DUB KEY
or DUBOPHONIC?

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

WWW, September 2014 - True Original Sound
System Style: six titles all with two versions. Pumping steppers riddims, some
played by the mighty King Earthquake (UK) and all created in Crucial Alphonso's
Belgian Studio. When you like your digital, when you like your steppers, when
you need your bass, just download this free release by that Maltese DUB
KEY Net Label.

Crucial Alphonso grew up with Reggae. His
father a Reggae DJ, his own voicing at Sound Systems and ability to create his
own electronic devices, it was only a matter of time before he would start
releasing his own production. As said, as done. Twelve outstanding pieces of
digital niceness that yuou can play soft but preferable loud with a lot of bass.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

WWW, September 2014 - French (DUB) Reggae band
OnDubGround with five tracks featuring Jamaican singer Jahko Lion. Both showing
their versatility as Jahko rides laid-back, Ire riddims and heavy steppers with
the same ease as they are played into the multitrack recorder.

In the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty.
Someone said it sometime and it could very well be said about anyone looking for
conscious (DUB) Reggae and not knowing about the enormous wealth of music from
the online Net Labels. Thanks to the Internet, the world wide Roots Massive
connects and produces collaborations that were only available for the industrial
and commercial boys and girls.

WWW, September 2014 - Attention (DUB) Reggae
producers and other visitors/users of Studio Dubroom: a brand new feature in the
studio will provide you with over 560 Mb of free, legal, fully licensed high
quality (DUB) Reggae Samples and Loops. We're talking drums, bass, guitars,
horns, vocals, Dub effects and everything else you can think of in the field of
the production of (DUB) Reggae Music.

It's called "Digital Dignity" and for
a reason. There are too many online (DUB) Reggae artists that make use of
jingles, loops and samples from well known or lesser known albums. For
non-commercial productions that's quite a common practice but it will not lead
you as a producer to the ability to release your music commercially. It's a
common practice, but it doesn't really do anything else but make people think of
the original.

Yes, it is better to get some dignity in your
productions by getting some dignity for yourself: over half a gig of that
material is waiting for you in our brand new Loopmasters (DUB) Reggae portal.

So what did we do and what can you do?

First, we've gathered all thirty (DUB) Reggae
products that come with a demo file from the Sample Boutique and -second-
created a page for each release. From that page you can directly download the
Demo file attached to the product. You'll have to be registered and logged in to
the Loop Masters website, but since that is a free thing and can even provide
you with more goodies, registration at Loop Masters will not hurt you at all.

We are talking about samples and loops by Ariwa
studio, Jesse "Dubmatix" King, the heavyweight champions at Drum
Drops, and a lot more. A large part has authentic vocal loops and samples, but
you can find some nice horns and other material.

Read the introduction page and start
downloading. When you have a reasonable fast Internet connection, about 15
minutes of your time will deliver you a very valuable addition to your Sound
library.

This is not a collaboration between Loop
Masters and the Dubroom, this is the sole decision of the Dubroom and it is done
out of a genuine appreciation with the good quality, service and prices at the
Sample Boutique.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

WWW, September 2014 - It comes with the
puristic title "Strictly Analog Dub", but Dutch Net Label Dubbhism
does not deliver that with this otherwise very interesting and enjoyable free
Net Album. No, this is not the first negative music review in the Dubroom.
Confused? Read On.

You got purists -some would say fetishists- of
all kinds. Reggae purists, Dub purists, Analogue purists, Digital purist, Vinyl
purists, ah, well you get the idea. The kind of purism that's brought forward in
this really nice album is the analogue purity. That is to say, analogue
recording and effects purity. Not all tracks are Dub, not all tracks are Reggae,
not all tracks are played with analogue equipment. Unless you would call a drum
computer and other obviously sequenced stuff analogue. Like these
folks.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

WWW, September 2014 - What's the difference
between a Showcase and a Dub Showcase, Ariwa Style? Well, the fact that not
every vocal track is followed by it's Dub (which you can easily change in your
player) plus the fact that there's an extra Dub version Of "Three Meals A
Day" labeled Sound System Dub. Luciano and Mad Professor In Fine Style!

Of course, when Luciano sings into the multi
track recorder at Ariwa studio with Mad Professor at the controls he listens to
excellent music. Of course, when Ariwa prepares for Luciano they will come with
a variety of musical works that will all emphasize a different side of The
MessenJah. Of course a collaboration between Luciano and Ariwa brings niceness.

This is a Dub Showcase, not a Showcase and not
a Dub Album. This is an album about Luciano, and the Dubs are there to recall
the vocal tracks while they're still fresh in your memory. While Luciano
showcases his many sides, from smooth Lovers' Rock to strong Prophetic Calls and
Chants to JAH, Ariwa shows they have just the right music for the right vibe.
After all, Roots and Lovers Rock are two specialties of the London-based
studio's.

As the album plays for this review, the Dubs
are all programmed to be played directly after it's vocal counterpart. That
means, no change in the sequence for the first 4 titles. Tracks 9-11
subsequently are three vocals, followed by four dubs. Almost one hour of good
vibes, freedom sounds and nice dubwise.

The arrangements, playing of instruments,
backing and lead vocals, everything is perfectly worked out. Luciano gives his
best, while Mad Professor does his best to emphasize the MessenJah in Dub
Showcase style. This is not a Dub style for an all-dub album, this is a Dub
style that gives you meditation, gives you some extra time to skank pon di
riddim. A Dub style that makes you hear new things every time you play the
music.

How shall we call it? What about Roots Lovers
Rock Reggae, to combine the two dominant styles on Deliverance Dub Showcase? Mad
Professor showing he's not just one of the Dub masters in the world, he knows
how to produce music by using top musicians and how to mix Dubs from that music
in fine style.

From the very first track, a crucial rendering
of Dennis Brown's song that gave the title to this album as well, to the very
last one ("Three Meals A Day, No Rent To Pay and No Wife To Obey, Talking
Bout Detention....") which is a heavyweight Roots Steppers with equal
Heavyweight Dub Mixing, this album is what it says. This is Mad Professor
showcasing Luciano in his own special style.

So, what was that about an extra Dub version
called Sound System Dub? This is Luciano singing from the top to the last drop
with Mad Professor mixing the music in Dub style.

Get all tracks, or just a few. When you're into
Dub, get the Dub from "Three Meals" called "One Dub A Day".

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

WWW, September 2014 - Get ready for something
really, really crucial: Roots Raid's "From The Top" is an album that
you just have to hear. And since it's offered as a free download from the Original
DUB Gathering Net Label, there is simply no excuse. Read on why.

Roots Raid is a cooperation project of the
bassist of the French DUB Reggae Band Ondubground and Bongo Ben. They're based
in the heart of the French country and are part of the Eurodub and Roots
Movement. "From The Top" is an album where the two producers showcase
their art and skills, along with vocalists like Ranking Joe and Billy Berry.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

WWW, September 2014 - One vocal and two Dubs
from the French Original DUB Gathering Net Label, presenting the Ire Vibe EP
featuring Dutch female singer Leah Rosier riding a, well, Irie riddim by the
French Dub producer Uptown Rebel. Nuff niceness going on, in this well digital
and well heartical track.

Bordeaux-based Uptown Rebel, whose album "Random
Road" was reviewed earlier in the Dubroom shows his ability to create
digital Roots with an impact once again. With Leah Rosier from Amsterdam singing
about how Ireness will even land at the doorstep on enemies, at least when it is
done in a musical way. Nuff niceness, no badness.

Monday, September 8, 2014

WWW, September 2014 - Vocal tracks, Discomixes
and of course DUB Shots. "A Ruff Guide To Ariwa" has it all and look
at the title: it's not a "Ruff Guide To Mad Professor"! The
well-chosen title for this compilation of sounds from the London based Studio
has a few classics from "back then", but it also features some of the
-outstanding- work of Joe Ariwa. Not to mention the all-star list of further
appearances, that is.

It should not be a surprise: over here at the
Dubroom we're not ashamed to big up Ariwa wherever possible. That's not just
because of the original and even leading sounds and riddims, not just because of
the consistency in quality with the enormous quantity. It's equally because of
the importance of Ariwa for (DUB) Reggae in general.

No, this is not an exaggeration.

It's one of the few studio's that were founded
in the late 1970's, only to continue to this year 2014 and still release all
forms of Reggae, from Lovers' Rock and Roots Daughters to Heavy, heavy Dub.
Throughout the decades careers were launched, revamped, extended. Bringing
consciousness on many levels and issues, being responsible for the incorporation
of DUB in many musical styles (Massive Attack, Ruts DC) and thus spreading the
vibe to millions and millions.

All this is captured in "A Ruff Guide To
Ariwa Sounds". All this, and some more things. Like the crucial mixing
skills of Joe Ariwa.

Listen, support, buy. Emusic is the cheapest
option and no we're no Emusic affiliate.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

WWW, September 2014 - Whenever you see
"Part One" in the title of an album, it's always intriguing: when it
turns out to contain niceness, you know there's more of that niceness coming
your way. Right? Presenting Part One of Studio Dubs, presenting Dubsynaticx,
presenting some Dub Niceness. Yes I!

Dubsynaticx is Daniel Rossman, from Vienna
Austria. He grew up with Reggae music and in 2015, he can look back at ten years
of releasing his music online. Yes, the Dubroom should apologize to this Dub
producer for not having discovered him before. Is his music that crucial, you
might ask, and the answer is YES. It's definitely an addition to the variety in
Eurodub and Roots land. We can get it thanks to the Idren at the Cyprus-based
Dubophonic Net Label, responsible for this excellent April 2014 release.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

WWW, September 2014 - Riding an up-tempo One
Drop rhythm, Asante Amen tells us where he gets his energy, talents and skills
come from. In the same time, he gives praises to the Most High Jah in such a way
that you just got to start praising the Most High yourself.

Another contemporary Roots Reggae track that
will drive away the bad vibrations, that will uplift those that listen to it.
Another crucial free and legal download, for you to get and be blessed. From the
heart, fe sure.

WWW, September 2014 - Talking about a singer,
you're talking about Asante Amen. A crucial voice he has, especially when he's
using it to go in all directions like a roller coaster. On top of that, he gives
praises to the Most High which is of course the Source of all singing. Asante
Amen, this is not the only place where you'll be reading about him.

Should you be wondering about Jamaica and
slackness and the way that so-called crucial combination is called in especially
the MTV's of this world, wonder no more. It's not that wonderful combination and
there are a lot of Jamaicans who rather see a combination of Jamaica and
Righteousness. Say that, say Asante Amen. Forget about the slackness kings and
queens, make way for the positive vibrations of today's Jamaican conscious
singers like this brother.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

WWW, September 2014 - In Part two, Messian
Dread continues to report on his experiences with uploading his music to a
number of Online Music Distributors (OMD's). This time he revisited MYSPACE.com,
LAST.fm, ICOMPOSITIONS.com and talks about creating an artist page at
AMAZON.com. And, oh yes, a small website called "You Tube".

The memory hole. It's an absolute hole and it
can give you quite a bit of surprises. This is what I got when I tried to upload
my music to the revamped My Space website. I know, I know, it's obsolete and for
many years I just did not pay any attention to my account. In the mean time, I
had forgotten to pay my bill for dubroom.com (about 40 dollars or so) which I
used for my email and the folks at NXS Amsterdam decided to sell it to another
company which is now trying to sell it for about 2400
dollars last time I checked. Good
to know Dubroom.org survived NXS. They shouldn't be in business anyway.

MYSPACE.com

It looks good, especially when you consider
that My Space has been bought by the good folks at Fox, known for their love for
humanity and truth in general. I thought it would be nice to just revamp my
account at that revamped My Space website but to my chagrin I discovered I could
not log in due to the fact that I no longer had access to my old email account.

Problems.

Apparently, I am not the only one with this
problem because My Space has this standard link that you can click when you lost
access to your old myspace account. I filled in the form, and wrote the proof
that I am who I am. That's pretty easy when you are Messian Dread at the
Dubroom. Still it was really complicated for the person at My Space who was
assigned to my case. He, she, it, did not understand what I meant so I wrote
back that I would love a human reply. I got it and I got access. It took several
days.

When you have a fast computer running Windows 8
or something like that, my Space is nice but it's not that nice. The reasons are
obvious. "Everyone" knows, My Space is a ghost town. There simply is
nobody. I have zero plays. Zero.

I had a page at LAST.fm but because of the
nature of my recent productions I wanted to change things a bit more. After all,
my new productions are definitely not just about me and I want to title my
productions the way I title them. That's not possible at LAST.fm without
creating a new artist, or in this case, label.

So I did.

I started to upload my new production and I got
a notice. I had uploaded my Dennis Alcapone tracks and the system had recognized
that name as being known. My account was blocked until it was reviewed by
LAST.fm staff. Perhaps you think I was annoyed, but that was not the case. I
thought this was a very, very good thing because it doesn't just give credit to
the LAST.fm website but also to the artists and producers who upload their
tunes.

Of course everything was easily cleared. This
was a very pleasant experience.

The website itself gives you the possibility to
upload your music and make it available for free download. Nice thing, right?
Even nicer is the fact that they let you deeplink to your uploaded MP3 files,
just like I do on the
music download page at my website. There's no limitation like with Sound
Cloud, so there is another reason why it is a mystery to me why Sound Cloud is
that popular.

When you're looking for plays and feedback, you
should definitely try out ICOMPOSITIONS.com. This website is clearly aimed at
musicians and can serve as intermediary vehicle for collaborations. You need to
really look, as it is assumed people know their way with computers a little bit
more than, let's say, My Space. And they do. I have zero plays at My Space, now
look at what I got at I Compositions (click to enlarge):

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